News Releases

News Release - Manitoba

QUEBEC AND MANITOBA INVEST OVER $100,000 TO PROMOTE THE VITALITY AND LONG-TERM FUTURE OF THE FRENCH FACT

Quebec City, October 11, 2017 – The governments of Quebec and Manitoba will today present the accomplishments achieved through their cooperation with respect to the Canadian Francophonie for 2016/17. Together, the provinces have invested $103,000 in fourteen forward-looking and structuring initiatives to promote and disseminate the French language in Canada.

Culture and education were central in carrying out these initiatives that included: an exchange between Quebec and Franco-Manitoban school networks that allows writers from each region to meet with high school students at schools in the other province to spark their interest in reading and to make known Franco-Manitoban literature in Quebec and Quebec literature in Manitoba; exchanges between the Festival des vidéastes du Manitoba and the Carousel international du film de Rimouski, that help initiate young people in both provinces to the movie industry trades in the French language.

On January 18, 2016, the two governments signed a new Agreement for Cooperation and Exchange with respect to the Canadian Francophonie committing them to contributing specified amounts over five years including $50,900 in 2016/17 and $54,800 in 2020/21.

Quotes:

"Intergovernmental cooperation with Manitoba is remarkable in a number of ways. Quebec and Franco-Manitoban organizations have put into place a vast network for cooperation and exchange in areas that are key to the promotion, affirmation and development of the Francophonie. By joining forces, we can ensure the vitality and long-term future of the French language."

Jean Marc Fournier, Minister responsible for Canadian Relations and the Canadian Francophonie

"We are pleased to continue our progress under this renewed agreement between Manitoba and Quebec and to build on the foundation of our longstanding relationship. Together, we have committed ourselves to areas of key importance to our Francophone community, namely early childhood, the arts and culture, communications, education and immigration."

Rochelle Squires, Minister of Sustainable Development, Minister responsible for Francophone Affairs, and Minister responsible for the Status of Women

Highlights:

In addition to the amounts invested in intergovernmental cooperation with respect to the Canadian Francophonie, the Government of Quebec is contributing to the development of the French language in its own province and across Canada through its Programme d'appui à la francophonie canadienne [support program for the Canadian Francophonie]. In 2016/17, the Government of Quebec contributed $47,500 to support six initiatives launched by Franco-Manitoban or Quebec organizations.

Under two financial support programs respecting the Canadian Francophonie, the Government of Quebec annually supports some three hundred initiatives across Canada for a total of $2.1 milllion.

Since January 2016, Quebec has renewed six agreements for cooperation and exchange with respect to the Canadian Francophonie, namely with the governments of Manitoba, Yukon, Ontario, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and British Columbia.

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The Province of Manitoba is issuing the attached news release on behalf of the governments of Manitoba and Quebec.

Sources:

Karla Duval
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister responsible for Canadian Relations and the Canadian Francophoniekarla.duval@mce.gouv.qc.ca